SAB extends Regional League sponsor

SOUTH African Breweries yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to soccer development by extending their SAB Regional League sponsorship for another five years to the tune of R7-million.

Also present at the announcement in Johannesburg was former Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey and one of the most successful graduates of the SAB Regional League, Orlando Pirates star Happy Jele.

Jele applauded the brewer and Safa for including the development component in the Bafana sponsorship package. "We won't be able to produce quality players for Bafana Bafana if we neglect development. For me, it feels good to be one of the products of the SAB Regional League," Jele said.

It was also announced at the launch that the SAB Under-21 national championships will be played in Stellenbosch from July 7 to 13.

Safa competitions director Balebetse Monnakgotla said they were in the process of finalising the preparations for the championships.

The beer company has been the title sponsor of Safa's third-division league, the SAB League, for 13 years.